EB-1ABusiness and managementIndividualDecided March 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR262026_01B2203
JudgingMetPublished materialMetHigh salaryNot metLeading or critical roleNot metMembershipNot metAwardsClaimed, not analyzedCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Investment fund director with eleven years in private equity and banking claimed five criteria plus comparable evidence. AAO found published material and comparable evidence (display) criteria met, satisfying the three-criterion threshold. However, on final merits, petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim or position among the small percentage at the very top of his field, so appeal was dismissed.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Judging · Service center found petitioner judged work of others in field
- Published material · Article about petitioner in major media outlet established
What was missing
- High salary · Service center determination not disturbed; insufficient evidence of exceptional compensation
- Leading or critical role · Service center determination not disturbed; insufficient evidence of elevated role
- Membership · Memberships in professional organizations lack evidence of elite status requiring outstanding achievement
- Final merits · Petitioner has not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or place at very top of field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Service center found petitioner judged work of others in field |
 Published material | Met | Article about petitioner in major media outlet established |
 High salary | Not met | Service center determination not disturbed; insufficient evidence of exceptional compensation |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Service center determination not disturbed; insufficient evidence of elevated role |
 Membership | Not met | Memberships in professional organizations lack evidence of elite status requiring outstanding achievement |
 Awards | Claimed, not analyzed | No major internationally recognized award claimed or discussed |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed by petitioner |
 Exhibitions | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or discussed |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed by petitioner |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed by petitioner |
 Final merits | Not met | Petitioner has not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or place at very top of field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.